14/05/2026
*Oyo Completes 88.02km Worth ₦16.273bn Rural Roads, Markets Under RAAMP Phase One.*
The Oyo State Government, through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), has completed 88.02km of rural roads and is upgrading 3 existing markets under Phase One of the project across the state.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, disclosed this while speaking with journalists after inspecting the roads and market projects across Akinyele, Ido, Oluyole and Ona-Ara Local Government Areas on Wednesday.
Among those who accompanied the Commissioner on the field inspection were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Abosede Owoeye, members of the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), among other key stakeholders.
Barr. Olaleye explained that the programme is aimed at enhancing rural connectivity and creating an enabling environment for sustainable road development, maintenance and administration, while linking farming communities to economic opportunities and reducing the cost of food for residents.
He added that the initiative, a collaboration between the Oyo State Government and the World Bank, was designed to address the long-standing challenge faced by rural farmers in transporting farm produce to markets.
“The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project is currently under Phase One. We are focusing on two major components — rural roads and markets.
“For the rural roads, we have completed the surface dressing of the 36.4km Alako–Idi-Iya–Batake–Ijaye Farm Settlement Road. We have also completed the 9.6km Fashola Farm Road network, the 6.85km Okudi–Oyada Road in Atisbo Local Government, and the 4.37km Tewure Market–Ila Junction Road in Oriire Local Government Area.
“The Adebayo–Alata–Aba Oje Road is also nearing completion. Altogether, the roads under Phase One cover about 88.02km.
“The purpose of these roads is to ensure farmers and rural communities have easy access to move their produce to markets and city centres,” he said.
Speaking on the market component, the Commissioner disclosed that Aare Alasa Agbejoda Market and Oja Oba Market in Igbo-Ora have been completed, while Oja Agbe Market in Iseyin is nearing completion under the Agro-Logistics component of the project.
He further assured that a committee comprising local government officials, market leaders, RAAMP representatives and community members would oversee fair allocation and maintenance of the market facilities.
Speaking on the features of the roads, the Coordinating Head of RAAMP, Engr. Adegboyega Obe, disclosed that 102 culverts were constructed along the 88.02km road corridors.
He commended Governor Seyi Makinde for prioritising rural infrastructure development as a means of improving the lives of rural dwellers and boosting the state economy.
Also speaking, the Road Project Consultant, Engr. Atilade Otunla, revealed that the roads were constructed using surface dressing technology instead of asphalt, noting that the method is cheaper, faster and can last between six and ten years with proper maintenance.
The longest completed stretch under the project is the 36.4km Alako–Idi-Iya–Batake–Ijaye Farm Settlement Road, while the second major corridor is the Adebayo–Alata–Aba Oje Road.
Speaking on facilities at the markets, the Supervising Consultant, Engr. Basit Opeloyeru, explained that the Aare Alasa Agbejoda Market features 500 metres of asphalt roads within the market, a 60m by 30m warehouse, an administrative block, two blocks of lock-up shops containing 40 rooms, six open shed blocks, a large open shed and modern toilet facilities for males, females and persons living with disabilities.
In their various remarks, the Baale Idiya Community, Mr. Moses Ojo, Baale Kunbi Community, Mr. John Afeez, and a Trader at Camp, Olowa-Ijaye farm settlement, Mrs. Bunmi Kareem commended Governor Seyi Makinde for the intervention, while appealing for additional amenities such as water facilities, healthcare centres and the completion of abandoned electricity projects in some communities.
Adesoji Olusegun O.
Development Communication Officer,
Oyo RAAMP.
